The Tier System

In Dawn Of War the tier system is used to gain additional researches, new weapon upgrades, more powerful units and more powerful abilities.

Original Dawn Of War Tier System

In the original Dawn Of War, there were only 3 tiers. Tier 1, Tier 2 and Tier 3. It should be noted however, that with the last few patches, the time required to research the higher tiers has decreased.

Tier 1

Tier 1 is where you start off. You are given a builder and an HQ to start. Your access to units is dependent upon the race. Heavy weapons and other beginning researches are available in this tier after completion of the armoury or equivalent structure. To progress to the next tier Space Marines and Chaos have to build an Armoury, a barracks and purchase an upgrade from their HQ. Eldar need only build their Soul Shrine. Orks must amass 50 Ork Population and construct the Pile O Gunz!.

Tier 3

This is where you can access your most powerful units and abilities. Heavy tanks and Relic units can be built, as can stronger infantry. There are few new upgrades in this tier, the primary ones being economic.

Winter Assault

In Winter Assault the tier system was revamped to 4 tiers. The time for tiers to be reached was also decreased.

Tier 1

Teching requirements are the same with the new race, the Imperial Guard, who need to build a barracks and an armoury and pay for an upgrade from the HQ. Certain units and upgrades were moved from this tier and into Tier 2, making teching more important for victory.

Tier 2

Most of the material removed from Tier 1 appears here (although some old researches are removed from the game entirely). Vehicles and anti-vehicle weapons are still accessed here. The Imperial Guard need only a Mechanized Command and an upgrade at their HQ to tech to Tier 3.

Tier 3

This tier gives access to more powerful infantry and abilities. Vehicle options are largely the same, although each race has one powerful tank still unavailable until Tier 4. To tech to Tier 4, research is needed from the race's vehicle production building.

Tier 4

Heavy tanks and relic units are available here. There are no new researches available.

Dark Crusade

It is here that the tier system got a major overhaul. Fast teching is now an option, allowing powerful units to hit the field very quickly. There is minimal rearranging of researches and abilities from Winter Assault.

Tier 2

Most races only need to build a machine shop or a research building to tech to Tier 3 with an upgrade purchased from the HQ. Orks remain unchanged. This is especially potent for Chaos, who have the fast and cheap Sacrificial Circle. Tau do not have any requirements, not even needing a Vehicle Beacon to get to Tier 3.